The Hoops & Rangers Triumph in Asia Tour 2012

By Faizal

With the end of EPL season 2011-2012, it has now became a trend for the teams of EPL to visit around the world for friendly matches. There was no exception for Queens Park Rangers Football Club or usually called QPR. The London-based club will be spending time in some Asian countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, in its agenda entitled “QPR Asia Tour 2012″ for 12 days. Asia was chosen by QPR because AirAsia (airlines with the highest growth in Asia) as the main sponsor for QPR.
Thanks to AirAsia which has chosen me as one of “The Ultimate AirAsia Ranger” winners so I could follow “QPR Asia Tour 2012″. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow R’s in the first three days (also first QPR match) due to my final exam. But it’s not a problem for me because I still have two matches to be shared. Here we go!
QPR could carve a nice result in Malaysia. They won 5-0 twice. Firstly, The Hoops & Rangers won 5-0 against Sabah Selection XI in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. Unfortunately, I was not present in that beautiful city.
Secondly, similar scores (5-0) occurred in the face of the Malaysia Super League champions, Kelantan FA on July 20. The match was held at Shah Alam stadium in Kuala Lumpur with half full stadium filled by spectators. Red Warriors (Kelantan FA) have it all to do after witnessing a brilliant performance by Rangers in the match against Sabah Selection XI. Again, QPR showed their real class in this match. Due to the beautiful play from QPR, Shaun Wright-Phillips; Michael Harriman; Jamie Mackie; Bobby Zamora; and Heidar Helguson alternately made the difference.
QPR were facing Persebaya Surabaya on their last match during “QPR Asia Tour 2012″ on July 23. The match was held at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, Indonesia. The atmosphere in the stadium was the best I ever seen directly. Over 55,000 Bonek (Persebaya’s supporters) were packed into the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium. I was very impressed with the loyalty, totality and creativity of Bonek in support of Persebaya team. But there was a lil’ bit marred incidents when the lights went out at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium. Could you imagine?
Bonek were intimidate The Hoops and Rangers players by switch on the red flares, fireworks, and chants all the time. The efforts succeeded in making R’s nervous at the beginning of the fight. Moreover, Robert Green, Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper made a big blunder so Fernando Soler brought Persebaya 1-0 lead against QPR.
But the advantage did not last longer for Persebaya after penalty kick from Adel Taarabt equalized the score board. Once again, QPR showed their real class when old striker, Bobby Zamora, scored a goal through his hard shot from close range. Queens Park Rangers showed the difference in the level of football between the English Premier League (EPL) and the Indonesia Premier League (IPL) after beating Persebaya Surabaya with the margin score 1-2.
That’s all my awesome experiences with “QPR Asia Tour 2012″. See you on EPL next season, QPR. Good luck!